Line shape measurement and isolated line width calculations: Quantal versus semiclassical methods

In a recent payer Griem, Ralchencko, Bray [Phys. Rev. E 56, 7186 (1998)] pe rform quantum-mechanical calculations of the line width of the B III 2s-2p transition and find agreement with previous quantum-mechanical results. The quantum-mechanical widths are a factor similar to 2 smaller than those mea sured in a recent experiment where the full width at half maximum for the B III 2s-2p transition was measured in a plasma with a measured electron tem perature and density of 10 eV and 2x10(18) cm(-3). The quantum-mechanical r esults also disagree with a nonperturbative semiclassical calculation. We w ill illustrate that Griem, Ralcheneko, and fray are incorrect in stating th at the experimental results are in error and that the semiclassical calcula tions are inapplicable, [S1063-651X(99)07311-0].